Owls’ boss tips Forestieri for big impact

Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has told BBC Radio Sheffield that new signing Fernando Forestieri will become ‘very important’.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder joined Wednesday in this summer’s transfer window – from Watford for a fee of around £3m. This was after a move to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United fell through.

Carvalhal also told BBC Radio Sheffield: “It wasn’t easy to bring him in but he has quality and I’m very happy”.

“He will become a very important player for us” the Portugese manager went on to add.

Forestieri’s move to Hillsborough opened up after Watford deemed him surplus to requirements, as he did not feature in their opening Premier League fixtures. The Italian featured in 25 out of 46 of Watford’s league fixtures as they gained promotion back to the top-tier, chipping in with five goals and six assists.

Sheffield Wednesday sit 15th in the Championship after their great start has recently stuttered. Carvalhal believes that Forestieri will boost his side’s attacking threat.

“Since the beginning of the season we have missed a player in the second line of midfield playing near the striker”.

“But Forestieri will give us more quality in attack because now we have a connection between midfield and attack,” the Owls boss added.

The Italian was already known to Wednesday fans before his move to Hillsborough, as his first goals as a permanent Watford player came against the Owls – as he netted a brace.

His signing was too late to make his debut in the home fixture against Middlesbrough, but is in line to make his debut against Burnley after the international break.